Posted by hans koster on March 07, 2002 at 15:36:02:
In Reply to: Maze and symptoms posted by Vivian on March 04, 2002 at 20:21:09:
Dear Vivian,
In my opinion there is no general answer to give.Depends on age,what do you want from live,complaints,can you easily live with it etc.
A collegue of mine,same age(53) is in chronic afib en he thinks I am crazy to have had such a big operation.He doesn't have any complaints and is feeling very well with digoxin,verapamil and coumadin.My grandfather (yes,it runs in the family)was diagnosed having afib by coincidence when he was about 65.(thedoctor took his bloodpressure)He didn't notice the afib at all! He had no medication untill he was 75 and after that the doctor gave himasperin.He was very active and healthy untill a one year before he died.He became 85!
I had no chronic afib like my grandad,but more and more frequently periodes of afib.And the frequency was that high that I could not live with it anymore,especially because I was ,like many of us,a sports and running fanatic.I was short of breath and it felt like my heart tried to jump out of my chest.Medications were not effective anymore and I did not wanted to take amiodaron because of the side effects.It was the choice between tobecome a chronic afibber and the maze.I choose the maze.
I hope this will help you a bit.
Best wishes,Hans Koster.